Diary of Rev Edward Stevens

Received note from Jesse Bishop saying he could not possibly pay his rent today but that he would pay £40 in a week and the balance as soon as possible. I called on Dr Routh, my co-Treasurer, and we agreed that I should write to him to the effect that we accepted his offer of £40 in a week and that we could give him a fortnight after that to pay the other £20. If the amounts were not paid on or before the days named I should instruct Solicitor to apply to his (Jesse Bishop’s) sureties. I also reminded him that the Trustees could claim for 9 months’ rent.

I visited William Kay, and his daughter, Mary Wilks. I told her what Mr Bliss said about Eliza Harris’s niece and executrix. She seemed to think he said it only in joke, but was surprised she should joke in such a manner, with strangers and in such a a place. She seems to have confidence in her that she will distribute the assets in accordance with the directions of the will. Mary Wilks told me she had not made any charge for nursing, etc, but had had some articles of furniture whilst the niece, and a nephew living at Tysoe had taken the rest. I pointed out to her that they should all have been sold for best price they would fetch, and the proceeds duly accounted for. She saw that at once and said she asked the niece (Maria Walker?) whether that ought not to be done.

Frost broke up. Very much rain followed.

Sally Lines died. Visited Mr Woolgrove this evening and told him about Jesse Bishop’s rent etc.

Rain nearly all day. Mrs S. visited 18 or 20 houses at Sibford Ferris for me.

Very wet all morning and part of afternoon.

Visited John Horsman, Elizabeth Bond (out), Thomas Wilks, Jesse Green, Susan Hunt, Joshua Green, Mary Lively, Joseph Messenger, Thomas Barnes, Sarah Hone, James Hone, Edward Scruby, Sarah Keene, William Hall.

Wrote a note to Walter Mann promising 5/- for Cricket Club towards making ground.

Christmas Day. Bright and frosty. Services as on Sundays.

We were quite alone today, no one being here but Harry, Frank, Rosa and ourselves.

Rain and sleet. Snow at night. A very heavy fall took place in London and S.E. of England especially. The wind was very high. Several shipwrecks took place and many lives were lost. No damage done here, indeed there was no storm at all. The snow fell very quietly.

Buried Sarah Lines at 2 o’clock between the services.

Bell and I visited Mrs Turner and her sister Mrs Harris.

St John Baptist’s day. Divine Service at 9.15 am. Only Frank and Harry there beside myself and the clerk, owing to the snow which was about 8 to 12 inches deep. Rapid thaw set in in evening.